THE EFFECTS OF COLORED TEXTURED SOYBEAN PROTEIN (TSP) ON SENSORY AND PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF GROUND BEEF PATTIES

Defatted soybean flour mixed with a combination of 0.03% Red No. 40 and 0.01% annatto ( Bixa orellana ) colorants was extruded into textured soy protein (TSP) in a counter-rotating twin extruder to produce a red-meat like product suitable for hamburger patties. Ground beef patties were processed replacing the meat (15 and 30%) with resulting hydrated textured soybean protein (TSP) prepared with and without the colorants. The resulting cooked patties were evaluated by eight trained judges for tenderness, juiciness, number of chews, beef flavor and overall flavor quality using a nine point nonstructured horizontal scale. Other patty characteristics examined included cooking losses (weight loss and diameter reduction) and color, by tristimulus colorimetric measurement. The results from sensory analysis revealed that ground beef patties with high TSP level were more tender than control, and they had less beef flavor and overall flavor quality. Weight loss was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by TSP level but the patties with 30% TSP showed less shrinkage than the others. Results of the study suggested that while patties with 15% TSP had sensory attributes similar to the control, adding 30% TSP with coloring significantly (P < 0.05) increased the redness of the patties.     

DEVELOPMENT OF A LEXICON FOR BEEF FLAVOR IN INTACT MUSCLE

ABSTRACT

A lexicon describing the flavor characteristics of beef across different cuts, grades, and cooking temperatures and methods was developed. Four major cuts of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) quality grade beef were cooked to five endpoint temperatures using braising, broiling (oven broiling and electric charbroiling), roasting and grilling (indoor and outdoor grilling). Six highly trained panelists identified and defined a total of 38 aroma and flavor characteristics in 176 beef samples. Beef identity, brown/roasted, bloody/serumy, metallic, fat‐like, overall sweet, sour aromatics and five tastes were present in practically all samples. Other attributes were present only in certain samples, depending on either the sample group or the cooking method/endpoint temperature combination used. This lexicon potentially offers the beef industry a standard tool to identify and quantify flavor attributes as impacted by temperature, cooking method, aging process, storage time, diet regime, packaging, USDA quality grades, etc.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Until now, the beef industry's main focus has been to assess beef tenderness and juiciness, with an emphasis on ways to improve beef texture. Meat companies and academic institutions have been using the 1995 American Meat Science Association guidelines to assess the flavor of beef, which are not comprehensive. Recent work has focused on flavor, and the industry needs a standardized flavor lexicon that can be used for many projects. It is important for the industry to be able to systematically identify and quantify flavor attributes that drive consumer acceptance.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, salmonellae, and Campylobacter jejuni in raw ground beef by gamma irradiation.

Raw ground beef patties inoculated with stationary-phase cells of Escherichia coli O157:H7, salmonellae, or Campylobacter jejuni were subjected to gamma irradiation (60Co) treatment, with doses ranging from 0 to 2.52 kGy. The influence of two levels of fat (8 to 14% [low fat] and 27 to 28% [high fat]) and temperature (frozen [-17 to -15 degrees C] and refrigerated [3 to 5 degrees C]) on the inactivation of each pathogen by irradiation was investigated. In ascending order of irradiation resistance, the D10 values ranged from 0.175 to 0.235 kGy (C. jejuni), from 0.241 to 0.307 kGy (E. coli O157:H7), and from 0.618 to 0.800 kGy (salmonellae). Statistical analysis revealed that E. coli O157:H7 had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher D10 value when irradiated at -17 to -15 degrees C than when irradiated at 3 to 5 degrees C. Regardless of the temperature during irradiation, the level of fat did not have a significant effect on the D10 value. Salmonellae behaved like E. coli O157:H7 in low-fat beef, but temperature did not have a significant effect when the pathogen was irradiated in high-fat ground beef. Significantly higher D10 values were calculated for C. jejuni irradiated in frozen than in refrigerated low-fat beef. C. jejuni was more resistant to irradiation in low-fat beef than in high-fat beef when treatment was at -17 to -15 degrees C. Regardless of the fat level and temperature during inactivation, these pathogens were highly sensitive to gamma irradiation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

SENSORY PROFILES OF THE MOST COMMON SALMON PRODUCTS ON THE DANISH MARKET

The sensory profiles of the most common chilled and frozen salmon products available to consumers on the Danish market were studied. A sensory profiling was made on 12 salmon products varying in salmon species, origin, storage method and time. Samples stored in ice between 7 and 16 days, frozen for 1 month or stored in modified atmosphere for 5 days all had sensory profiles dominated by sea/seaweed odor, juicy and oily texture, fresh fish oil, and sweet and mushroom flavor. Marked differences in the sensory profiles of the frozen samples were found to correlate to differences in storage time. Frozen storage for 6 months resulted in firm texture, discolored appearance and rancid flavor. The samples stored in modified atmosphere for 7 days had a sensory profile with marked rancid and sour odor.     

Sensory evaluation of fruit quality and nutritional composition of 20 breadfruit (Artocarpus, Moraceae) cultivars

Twenty breadfruit cultivars growing in afield genebank at Kahanu Garden, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hana, Maui, Hawaii, were evaluated for sensory attributes and nutrient composition. A taste panel scored eight flavor/aroma attributes, five textural attributes, and color. There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) in aroma, visual texture, flavor intensity, sweetness, starchiness, moistness, stringiness, firmness, and color. The greatest differences were in color and texture. Nutrient analyses showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) for energy, carbohydrates, ash, crude protein, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, copper, and zinc. Considering the versatility of breadfruit as a food, its ease of production, and its nutritional value, the numerous good quality flavorful cultivars available should be more widely grown for sustainable agriculture and food security.     

Elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in meats by gamma irradiation.

Undercooked and raw meat has been linked to outbreaks of hemorrhagic diarrhea due to the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7; therefore, treatment with ionizing radiation was investigated as a potential method for the elimination of this organism. Response-surface methods were used to study the effects of irradiation dose (0 to 2.0 kGy), temperature (-20 to +20 degrees C), and atmosphere (air and vacuum) on E. coli O157:H7 in mechanically deboned chicken meat. Differences in irradiation dose and temperature significantly affected the results. Ninety percent of the viable E. coli in chicken meat was eliminated by doses of 0.27 kGy at +5 degrees C and 0.42 kGy at -5 degrees C. Small, but significant, differences in radiation resistance by E. coli were found when finely ground lean beef rather than chicken was the substrate. Unlike nonirradiated samples, no measurable verotoxin was found in finely ground lean beef which had been inoculated with 10(4.8) CFU of E. coli O157:H7 per g, irradiated at a minimum dose of 1.5 kGy, and temperature abused at 35 degrees C for 20 h. Irradiation is an effective method to control this food-borne pathogen.     

DEVELOPMENT OF A TEXTURE PROFILE PANEL FOR EVALUATING RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS VARYING IN MEAT PARTICLE SIZE

A texture profile panel was developed for measuring textural properties of restructured beef steaks differing in meat particle size. For steaks of different particle sizes, considerable differences existed in the type of sample breakdown and shape of chewed pieces after just two chews. Panelists also found restructured steaks made from large meat particle sizes to be visually more distorted and to contain more gristle than steaks made from small meat particle sizes. Several characteristics (chunkiness after two chews, coarseness of chewed mass at 15 chews) were dropped from the profile over time, while several characteristics (type of sample breakdown and shape of chewed pieces at two chews, size of chewed pieces at 10 chews) not used initially, were added. The texture profile panel approach appears suitable for discerning the textural differences in restructured steaks that can arise from using different meat particle sizes during processing.     

INFLUENCE OF SELECTED MARKETING FACTORS ON CONSUMER RESPONSE TO RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS: A CONJOINT ANALYSIS1

Restructured beef steaks, formulated with different beef particle sizes, fat content and binder levels, were evaluated with selected marketing factors by 30 consumers. Conjoint analysis was applied to consumers’hedonic scores and statement of purchase intent for raw and cooked steaks. Product preference, packaging and brand had significant (P < 0.05) impacts on hedonic scores for raw products. Price was an additional important factor in purchase intent. Parcooked products, only product preference was important for both hedonic rating and purchase intent. When products were not present, conjoint measurement indicated that nutritional information, price and brand influenced (P < 0.05) hedonic responses.     

TEXTURE-FLAVOR INTERACTIONS IN LOW FAT STIRRED YOGURT: HOW MECHANICAL TREATMENT, THICKENER CONCENTRATION AND AROMA CONCENTRATION AFFECT PERCEIVED TEXTURE AND FLAVOR

The influence of thickening agent (0 and 7g/L), mechanical treatment (low and high) and flavoring agent concentration (2.2 to 63.2 μL/kg) on texture, taste and aroma of low fat stirred yogurts was investigated through sensory profiling by a panel of ten subjects trained on 13 attributes. Two assessment conditions were used: either in the presence or in the absence of olfactory perception (nostrils closed with nose clips). Sensory differences were greater for texture than for the other perception modalities. Olfactory perception enhanced yogurt astringency. If both thickener addition and mechanical treatment influenced texture attributes and rheology, the second factor had the strongest effect. Texture attributes were highly correlated with rheological parameters. Increasing flavoring agent concentration tended to decrease thickness and the addition of thickening agent depressed green apple notes and sweet taste, suggesting texture/flavor interactions.     

Survival of a Salmonella typhimurium experimental contaminant during cooking of beef roasts.

Twenty-one raw boneless beef roasts were experimentally injected with 2 X 10(7) cells of a nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium per roast. Contaminated roasts were cooked to center internal temperatures of 137.0 to 147.5 degrees F (58.3 to 64.1 degrees C) in a gas-fired pilot plant food-processing oven. Viable experimental contaminants were recovered from two core samples of the 21 roasts (one cooked to 137.0 degrees F [58.3 degrees C] and one cooked to 141.5 degrees F [ca 60.8 degrees C]). All of 17 cooking net samples taken from the contaminant injection side of roasts were salmonella positive, whereas 7 of 9 net samples from the side opposite injection were positive and all of 11 net samples from the bottom of roasts were positive. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to salmonella contamination of precooked beef roasts.     

Survival of a Salmonella typhimurium experimental contaminant during cooking of beef roasts.

Twenty-one raw boneless beef roasts were experimentally injected with 2 X 10(7) cells of a nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium per roast. Contaminated roasts were cooked to center internal temperatures of 137.0 to 147.5 degrees F (58.3 to 64.1 degrees C) in a gas-fired pilot plant food-processing oven. Viable experimental contaminants were recovered from two core samples of the 21 roasts (one cooked to 137.0 degrees F [58.3 degrees C] and one cooked to 141.5 degrees F [ca 60.8 degrees C]). All of 17 cooking net samples taken from the contaminant injection side of roasts were salmonella positive, whereas 7 of 9 net samples from the side opposite injection were positive and all of 11 net samples from the bottom of roasts were positive. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to salmonella contamination of precooked beef roasts.     

COMPARISON OF ATTRIBUTE LIKING AND JAR SCALES TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF SENSORY ATTRIBUTES OF MILK DESSERTS

Just-about-right (JAR) scales and attribute liking questions are usually used to study consumer perception of the sensory characteristics of food products. The aim of the present work was to compare the performance of attribute liking and JAR scales to evaluate consumers' perceived adequacy of flavor and texture of milk puddings. Two groups of consumers were asked to evaluate eight milk desserts using (1) overall liking followed by attribute liking for texture and flavor and (2) overall liking followed by JAR scales for thickness, creaminess, sweetness and vanilla flavor. Overall liking scores were significantly different when JAR scales or attribute liking questions were considered. Texture, flavor and overall liking scores were highly correlated to each other, providing the same information. JAR scales correlated better with the intensity of sensory attributes evaluated by a trained sensory panel, being JAR percentages a reliable tool to study the adequacy of sensory attributes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Results from the present work showed that consumers might not be able to independently evaluate their liking of different sensory attributes of a product. For this reason, the use of attribute liking questions for studying the adequacy of sensory attributes in complex products would not be recommended. JAR scales were better indicators of the adequacy of sensory attributes. Consumers were able to independently evaluate texture and flavor attributes using JAR scales. However, the influence of JAR scales on overall liking scores should be taken into account when including these scales on consumer studies.     

SENSORY ANALYSIS OF FIBER FORMULATED GROUND PORK PATTIES1

Pure cellulose (Solka-Floc), microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), and a soluble gum (Nutriloid Fiberplus) were added to ground pork (25%± 2% fat) at 3.5% and 7.0% based on total dietary fiber content of each ingredient. Cooked samples of all treatments and a control were presented to a professional sensory panel and evaluated for the following six attributes: resistance to bite, juiciness, off flavor, pork flavor intensity, graininess/flouriness, and cohesiveness. Products containing Nutriloid Fiberplus at 3.5% and 7.0% had the least resistance to bite (softest), but no differences were detected between the two levels of these products. The Avicel and Solka-Floc products were similar to the control products for resistance to bite. Products containing Nutriloid Fiberplus carried a significant off-flavor, whereas products containing Avicel at 3.5% maintained a flavor similar to that of the control products. Products with Solka-Floc or Nutriloid Fiberplus had distinct graininess/flouriness attributes. Solka-Floc products and Nutriloid products were more cohesive (p < 0.05) than control products. Avicel products at 3.5% were not significantly different than control products for all attributes evaluated.